Explosive Team India: Explosive Team India opener Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest T20I half-century ever by an Indian, reaching the mark in just 14 balls during the third T20I against New Zealand here at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday as India clinched a thumping victory riding on the youngster’s power-hitting prowess.
Abhishek’s blistering innings featured five fours and four sixes, eclipsing the previous record held by Hardik Pandya, who had registered a 16-ball fifty for India in T20Is. The fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 cricket remains Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball blitz against England in 2007, a knock that has gone down in T20I history.
Chasing 154, India raced to 94/2 in the powerplay, largely thanks to Abhishek’s fiery knock. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten on 68 off just 20 deliveries, guiding India to a commanding eight-wicket victory and reinforcing his status as one of the team’s most explosive batting talents.